European nations, including France, are among the staunchest supporters of Ukraine in the fight against Russia. However, several of them have increased their imports of Russian energy, pumping billions of euros into Moscow’s war economy.
Almost four years since the beginning of the invasion, the European Union remains in a paradoxical position: funding both sides. While sending massive military and humanitarian aid to Kiev, it pays substantial amounts to Moscow for oil and gas, writes Reuters.
The bloc has reduced its dependence on Russia by about 90% compared to 2022, but still imported Russian energy worth over 11 billion euros in the first eight months of 2025, according to a Reuters analysis based on data from the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) in Helsinki.
Seven out of the 27 EU member states have increased the value of imports compared to last year, including five countries supporting Ukraine. For instance, France has increased its purchases by 40%, reaching 2.2 billion euros, while the Netherlands saw a 72% increase, up to 498 million euros.
While the LNG (liquefied natural gas) ports in France and Spain serve as entry points for Russian deliveries, the gas is not always consumed locally, being redirected to other buyers within the EU.
Vaibhav Raghunandan, an EU-Russia specialist at CREA, described these increased flows as "a form of self-sabotage," considering that energy exports are Russia's main source of income in the war against Western-backed Ukraine. "The Kremlin literally receives funding to continue deploying its armed forces in Ukraine," he said.
Trump attacks European leaders
EU energy payments to Moscow have come into focus again after U.S. President Donald Trump harshly criticized European leaders at the UN General Assembly last month, demanding an immediate halt to all purchases. "Europe needs to wake up. It can't go on like this - buying oil and gas from Russia while fighting against Russia. It's embarrassing," said Trump.
The French Ministry of Energy told Reuters that the value of Russian energy imports increased because France acted as an intermediary for other clients, without specifying the countries or companies involved. Market data suggests that some of the French imports are re-exported to Germany.
The Dutch government stated that while it supports the gradual elimination of Russian energy, it cannot block existing contracts until proposals are enshrined in European legislation. The EU has already banned most purchases of Russian oil and petroleum products and intends to accelerate the ban on LNG by 2027, a year earlier than the initial plan. LNG now accounts for nearly half of the total value of Russian energy imports in the EU.
The European Commission declined to comment on the 2025 import data, but the Energy Commissioner reiterated that the gradual phase-out is meant to avoid price shocks or supply shortages. However, the plan - aiming for a complete ban on Russian oil and gas by 2028 - means that European funds could continue to support the Kremlin's war effort for at least another year.
Hungary, Belgium, and others increase their bills
In 2021, before the invasion, the EU imported over 133 billion euros' worth of Russian energy. In the period January-August 2025, the value decreased to 11.4 billion - a 21% reduction compared to 2024, but still significant.
Hungary and Slovakia, which maintain close ties with the Kremlin, remain major importers, with a combined 5 billion euros. These would not be affected by future LNG sanctions, which require unanimity in the Council, and could continue to receive gas through pipelines until 2028.
Hungary is among the seven states that increased their imports in 2025 - by 11%. France and the Netherlands are joined by four other countries supporting Ukraine: Belgium (+3%), Croatia (+55%), Romania (+57%), and Portugal (+167%). The Belgian Ministry of Energy explained that the increase was due to new EU sanctions that came into effect in March, prohibiting the re-export of Russian LNG to third countries, forcing its unloading in Belgian ports. Portugal stated that Russian imports remain modest and will be lower than in 2024. Croatia and Romania did not comment.
In total, since 2022, the EU has imported Russian energy worth over 213 billion euros - a sum larger than the aid provided to Ukraine (167 billion euros in financial, military, and humanitarian assistance), according to the Kiel Institute in Germany.
Energy companies invoke long-term contracts
Among the main European importers of Russian LNG are TotalEnergies (France), Shell (UK), Naturgy (Spain), SEFE (Germany), and Gunvor (Switzerland). All operate based on long-term contracts, valid until the 2030s-2040s.
TotalEnergies stated that it cannot suspend deliveries from the Yamal plant in Russia without official EU sanctions. The company emphasized that it will continue supply as long as European governments deem Russian gas necessary for energy security. Shell, Naturgy, and Gunvor declined to comment.
Ronald Pinto, a senior analyst at Kpler, explained that firms are hesitant to risk fines for contract breaches in the absence of a clear European-level ban. "Ultimately, the market buys this LNG, not the countries - and most companies adhere to long-term contracts," he said.
Pinto also pointed out that French imports of Russian LNG are often transported through pipelines to Belgium and then to Germany, where industrial demand is high. However, "it is impossible to track the exact movement of gas molecules in the European network."
A spokesperson for the German company SEFE, which operates 10% of the gas transport network in Germany, confirmed that the company imports Russian gas through France and Belgium. The German Ministry of Economy told Reuters that it welcomes the EU's efforts to eliminate Russian fossil fuels, but SEFE is tied to an old Yamal LNG supply contract without the possibility of termination. "Under take-or-pay clauses, SEFE would have to pay for the agreed volumes even without receiving them. Non-acceptance would allow Yamal to resell the gas, thus providing double support to the Russian economy," the spokesperson said.
Ministry of Energy: Romania does not import coal, crude oil, petroleum, or gas from Russia
The Ministry of Energy responded on Friday to the Reuters analysis, stating that the information does not confirm for our country. "Romania does not import coal, crude oil, petroleum products, or gas from the Russian Federation," the institution conveyed, at the request of News.ro.
The Ministry recalls that coal imports from Russia were banned as early as August 2022, with the entry into force of the fifth package of economic sanctions adopted by the European Union against Moscow.
Regarding crude oil and petroleum products, the institution specifies that, in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 on restrictive measures against Russia, economic operators in Romania have completely ceased imports. "Since December 5, 2022, no oil has been imported from the Russian Federation, and since February 5, 2023, imports of petroleum products have also been stopped," the Ministry of Energy stated.
Regarding natural gas, the ministry emphasizes that Romania no longer imports gas from Russia. "To ensure the domestic consumption needs, Romania imports natural gas from Western Europe through the Szeged-Arad interconnector and from Southern Europe through the interconnection points with Bulgaria - Kardam1-Negru Vodă1 (Trans-Balkan Corridor) and Giurgiu-Ruse," the response sent to News.ro reads.
The Ministry of Energy specifies that reported imports may include gas or petroleum transits passing through Romania without being intended for domestic consumption. "Romania strictly adheres to the regime of sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation and does not make direct imports of energy resources from this country," representatives of the institution emphasized.
Brussels prepares for complete elimination of Russian gas
The Ministry of Energy also notes that negotiations are ongoing at the European Commission for a draft regulation on the gradual elimination of natural gas imports from the Russian Federation. This will include "a set of clear and phased obligations aimed at eliminating gas and oil imports from Russia in an orderly manner and strengthening the overall energy security of the European Union."